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City updates Business Licence Bylaw to improve process for local businesses

The City of Chestermere is pleased to unveil changes to the business licence process that makes it easier and less expensive for local businesses to be licensed.

“We are working hard to attract more businesses to Chestermere and we want to ensure existing local businesses have every possible advantage,” said Jean-Marc Lacasse, the City’s Economic Development Manager. “The updates to the Business Licence Bylaw are one of the ways we are doing that.”

Under the new regulations, local businesses are defined as companies that have a business address in Chestermere. The cost for local businesses is half of what out of city businesses pay for a licence.

The City hopes that this change will encourage residents who are business owners to move their operations to Chestermere. Lacasse explains that “Chestermere is extremely competitive for businesses as it has lower business taxes, no business title tax, and now much lower local business licensing fees. While it is a small change, we hope this is another factor for businesses when they consider Alberta’s Oasis as a location.”

Another change to the bylaw is lower fees for home based businesses. Instead of $150 per year, a “Major” home based business (such as a hair salon or studio) will now pay $100. “Minor” home based businesses (consultants or contractors working from a home computer) will pay $50 and will experience a streamlined process for obtaining their development permit.

“All businesses start small with hopes to grow. We want to help facilitate that growth,” said Lacasse. “It’s very important to know what businesses are operating here so we can better support them, refer business to them, and determine where we have gaps in services.”

The changes to the bylaw also provide an advantage for local taxi services (by requiring anyone picking up passengers in Chestermere to have a licence) and welcomes the potential for ride share services like Uber.

The deadline to apply for or renew business licences is January 31, 2017.Businesses that obtain a licence have the option to be listed on the City’s business directory atwww.chestermere.ca/directory.